Simon Says

I would like to congratulate two outstanding individuals who put their lives on the line each day in the Broad Channel community – Chief Timothy Keenan and former Chief Frank Malone -- on their graduation from the New York City Fire Department training program and appointment to the FDNY.

Tim Keenan is the youngest chief to serve the Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department. This young man is a great asset to the community. I have always referred to him as Doogie Howser, the tv character who was a teenage doctor. I know that Timmy Keenan will one day become commissioner of the NYC Fire Department.

Timmy comes from a fine family. His mother Maureen and father Bernie have done a fantastic job in instilling great virtues in him. We can say the same for Frank Malone, who is always giving and helping his community. Congratulations guys!

Saturday evening the Rockaway Residents and Homeowners honored two residents, Moe Weinschel and myself. Moe was honored for his community activism, including his efforts to obtain the sprinkler system and reconstruction of the monuments at Memorial Circle on Rockaway Beach boulevard between Beach 120 and 121 streets. Moe is a past commander of the Jewish War Veterans.

I was honored for my humanitarian work. The award reads "Humanitarian Award presented to the Honorable Lew Simon, Democratic District Leader, 23 A.D. Part B, in grateful recognition of your outstanding efforts and achievements for the people of Rockaway Park. You are a true leader. December 9, 2000."

It is indeed an honor to be recognized by your own community.

On Sunday we attended the annual cocktail party of the Belle Harbor Property Owners, Neponsit Property Owners, and Rockaway Park Association at the Washington Hotel. Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik accepted an award in honor of Mayor Rudy Giuliani. His speech was enlightening.

Other honorees were Herb Gormley of Belle Harbor who has given his time and effort in assisting Jack King in making the Rockaway Beach LIRR line a reality. At every meeting there is Herb smiling and ready to lend a hand.

Albert Ciancimano, a Neponsit resident and former chair of the Neponsit Health Center Community Advisory Board, was also honored. Albert is a member of the Neponsit Property Owners who has also given of his time for the community.

The Rockaway Park Association honored Moe Weinschel. Moe is the one guy who can succeed in being honored by the two Rockaway Park organizations for his great work. Congrats to all the honorees.

We are saddened by the loss of Claire Kasner, mother of Lenny Kasner, mother-in-law of Shelly Ginis Kassner. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family.

Happy 21 birthday to Rose Francis, one of the sweetest young ladies around.

Tickets for our bus trip to the Atlantic City Trump Marina are still available. We leave on Saturday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m. and return at 8 a.m. The cost is $25 with $16 returned. Eleven people may win $10 on the bus. Call my office now for reservations. The next trip will be on January 13.